Fall
- PHILOSOPHY 100 Intro to Ethics............ 3cr.
- ENGLISH 101/115 Composition/Rhetoric............ 3cr.
- second language I............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives............ 3cr.
- CORE 100 First-Year Seminar............ 3cr.
- CORE 101: GOA Co-curriculum Program I............ 0cr.
Spring
- Scientific Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Literature & Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- second language II............ 3cr.
- THEOLOGY 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- Oral Communications Elective............ 3cr.
- CORE 102: GOA Co-curriculum Program II............ 0cr.
Fall
- PHILOSOPHY 200 Philosophical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Mathematical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- History of Philosophy............ 3cr.
- Philosophy Elective............ 3cr.
- Social Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Quantitative Reasoning Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- History of Philosophy............ 3cr.
- E/RS Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Philosophy Seminar............ 3cr.
Spring
- History of Philosophy............ 3cr.
- PHILOSOPHY 340 Metaphysics............ 3cr.
- Philosophy Elective............ 3cr.
- Diversity Curriculum Requirement............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Philosophy Elective............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Thesis Review (Honors Track only)............ 1cr.
Spring
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- Thesis Review (Honors Track only -- to replace a General Elective)............ 2cr.
The sample course sequence above illustrates class offerings for the Philosophy major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Philosophical Perspectives (PHIL 200)
This course is an exploration into fundamental philosophical inquiries surrounding concepts like knowledge, truth and the nature of science. Through an examination of seminal works including Descartes's Discourse on Method and supplementary texts, students will delve into timeless questions that have shaped philosophical discourse for centuries.
Early Modern Philosophy (PHIL 304)
This course examines seventeenth and eighteenth-century philosophical thought. Topics include the interplay between ancient and modern philosophical perspectives, how thinkers of this era responded to each other's ideas on systems and the nature of reality, knowledge acquisition, methodology and moral philosophy.
Bioethics (PHIL 329)
This course explores the ethical dilemmas that arise within the realm of healthcare delivery, including the moral complexities encompassing social policy and clinical challenges encountered in the field.
Metaphysics (PHIL 340)
Metaphysics is the science that investigates what it means to be or exist. This course will examine the nature of metaphysics, and the role it has played in the history of philosophy.
Program Features
The philosophy program offers a departmental honors track, allowing you to work with a faculty member on a senior thesis, uncovering new insights and challenging existing interpretations.
Learn from passionate professors who are committed to your intellectual growth. Our faculty foster a supportive and engaging learning environment, encouraging lively discussion and personalized mentorship.
Philosophy complements almost any other field of study. Many of our majors pursue double majors or minors in areas like Political Science, English, Theology, History, Business or the Sciences, enriching both disciplines.
Your Philosophy education will emphasize the Jesuit values of ethical reasoning, discernment and a commitment to justice, preparing you to use your intellectual gifts for the common good.
Xavier Expeditions offers immersive global journeys where you'll confront ethical questions, engage with diverse cultures, and earn philosophy credits – directly connecting theory to real-world experience.
For Dr. Brownlee, teaching isn’t just about imparting knowledge. It’s about fostering engaging discussions that challenge conventional thinking.
Philosophy Program at Xavier University
Within Jesuit education, philosophy occupies a central, synthesizing role. It aims at helping students reflect creatively and critically on ethics, society, and the world at large. The major program in philosophy is designed to provide a sound grounding in the history of Western philosophy through the careful study of the great books of that tradition. Philosophy literally means "the love of wisdom." It deals with speculative issues such as human nature, the structure of reality, the existence of God, and the processes involved in human knowledge. It is also concerned with practical issues such as the nature of the morally good life and the ideal political society.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."